Status:
valid
Authors:
E.Mey.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1838
Citation Micro:
Comm. Pl. Afr. Austr. : 226 (1838)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000253440
Common Names
- Ocimum Obovatum
- Obovatum Basil
- African Basil
Synonyms
- Ocimum hians macrocaulon Briq. [unknown]
- Ocimum neumannii Gürke ex Engl. [unknown]
- Becium choanum P.A.Duvign. & Plancke [unknown]
- Becium grandiflorum obovatum (E.Mey. ex Benth.) Sebald [unknown]
- Becium obovatum N.E.Br. [unknown]
- Becium obovatum hians (Benth.) N.E.Br. [unknown]
- Becium schweinfurthii (Briq.) N.E.Br. ex Broun & Massey [unknown]
- Ocimum affine bafingensis A.Chev. [unknown]
- Ocimum knyanum astephanum Baker [unknown]
- Ocimum hians microphyllum Briq. [unknown]
Description
Ocimum obovatum (also called Obovate Basil, among many other common names) is an aromatic herbaceous plant native to tropical Africa. It has a woody stem and grows up to 1 meter in height. It prefers moist, well-drained soils in open, sunny areas and is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides and cultivated fields.
Uses & Benefits
Ocimum obovatum is used as an ornamental plant, for its fragrant leaves and flowers, and as a medicinal plant for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Ocimum obovatum sub. cordatum (A.J.Paton) A.J.Paton
Ocimum obovatum sub. crystallinum (A.J.Paton) A.J.Paton
Ocimum obovatum var. galpinii (Gürke) A.J.Paton
Ocimum obovatum sub. obovatum
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Ocimum obovatum is a white or pale purple color and has a tubular shape. The seed is small and black. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with a few leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Ocimum obovatum is a small, annual herb that grows up to 30 cm in height. It has small, white flowers and is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is easy to propagate from seed and can be grown in a variety of soils. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can be grown in containers. It is also tolerant of light frost. It can be propagated by cuttings or division.
Where to Find Ocimum obovatum
Ocimum obovatum is native to tropical Africa.
Ocimum obovatum FAQ
What are the common names of Ocimum obovatum?
Oval-leaved Basil, African Basil
What is the natural habitat of Ocimum obovatum?
It is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, from sea level up to an altitude of 2,000 m.
What is the size of Ocimum obovatum?
It is an annual herb, reaching a height of 0.5–1 m.
Species in the Ocimum genus
Ocimum africanum,
Ocimum albostellatum,
Ocimum americanum,
Ocimum amicorum,
Ocimum angustifolium,
Ocimum basilicum,
Ocimum burchellianum,
Ocimum campechianum,
Ocimum canescens,
Ocimum carnosum,
Ocimum centrali-africanum,
Ocimum circinatum,
Ocimum coddii,
Ocimum cufodontii,
Ocimum dambicola,
Ocimum decumbens,
Ocimum dhofarense,
Ocimum dolomiticola,
Ocimum ellenbeckii,
Ocimum ericoides,
Ocimum filamentosum,
Ocimum fimbriatum,
Ocimum fischeri,
Ocimum formosum,
Ocimum forskaolii,
Ocimum fruticosum,
Ocimum grandiflorum,
Ocimum gratissimum,
Ocimum hirsutissimum,
Ocimum irvinei,
Ocimum jamesii,
Ocimum kenyense,
Ocimum kilimandscharicum,
Ocimum labiatum,
Ocimum lamiifolium,
Ocimum masaiense,
Ocimum mearnsii,
Ocimum metallorum,
Ocimum minimum,
Ocimum minutiflorum,
Ocimum mitwabense,
Ocimum monocotyloides,
Ocimum natalense,
Ocimum nudicaule,
Ocimum nummularia,
Ocimum obovatum,
Ocimum ovatum,
Ocimum pseudoserratum,
Ocimum pyramidatum,
Ocimum reclinatum,
Species in the Lamiaceae family
Acanthomintha duttonii,
Acanthomintha ilicifolia,
Acanthomintha lanceolata,
Acanthomintha obovata,
Acanthoprasium frutescens,
Acanthoprasium integrifolium,
Achyrospermum aethiopicum,
Achyrospermum africanum,
Achyrospermum axillare,
Achyrospermum carvalhoi,
Achyrospermum ciliatum,
Achyrospermum cryptanthum,
Achyrospermum dasytrichum,
Achyrospermum densiflorum,
Achyrospermum erythobotrys,
Achyrospermum fruticosum,
Achyrospermum laterale,
Achyrospermum micranthum,
Achyrospermum mildbraedii,
Achyrospermum oblongifolium,
Achyrospermum parviflorum,
Achyrospermum purpureum,
Achyrospermum schimperi,
Achyrospermum schlechteri,
Achyrospermum seychellarum,
Achyrospermum tisserantii,
Achyrospermum urens,
Achyrospermum wallichianum,
Achyrospermum scandens,
Acinos alpinus,
Acrotome angustifolia,
Acrotome fleckii,
Acrotome hispida,
Acrotome inflata,
Acrotome mozambiquensis,
Acrotome pallescens,
Acrotome tenuis,
Acrotome thorncroftii,
Acrymia ajugiflora,
Aegiphila aracaensis,
Aegiphila hystricina,
Aegiphila aculeifera,
Aegiphila alba,
Aegiphila anomala,
Aegiphila arcta,
Aegiphila australis,
Aegiphila bogotensis,
Aegiphila boliviana,
Aegiphila brachiata,
Aegiphila bracteolosa,